'Suicide Squad' Joker's "Damaged" Tattoo Gets A Backstory; Plus: Do Joker And Harley Quinn Have Kids?

Over a year ago, when we got the first look at Jared Leto as The Joker, the reaction was...mixed, to say the least. A lot of people weren't fond of his grill, the body tats, and the tat on his forehead. It's a bold look, one that some fans still have a lot to say about since Suicide Squad's very successful opening weekend at the box office. In none of the film's many, many flashbacks are the origins of Mr. J's tattoos or teeth revealed, but writer/director David Ayer says they help tell the character's story.

Below, you can read what David Ayer had to say about Joker's teeth, and you can also check out a fan theory about the crown prince of crime and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie).

Ayer modeled The Joker after drug lords, often looking to their wild Instagram accounts for inspiration. The villain's teeth, however, aren't an attempt to show a modern Joker, but to imply more history between Batman and his famous foe. In an interview with Empire Online, Ayer explains the Joker's teeth and "damaged" tat:

This is sort of my personal thing and maybe less about a larger connection. But Joker killed Robin and Batman basically smashes his teeth out and locks him up in Arkham Asylum. It's in the asylum where Joker would have done the 'damaged' tattoo as a message to Batman saying, 'You've damaged me. I was so beautiful before and now you've destroyed my face.' That's where the grill comes from.

There's probably better and healthier ways for Mr. J to express how Batman damaged him, but damaging himself further sounds about right for Joker. Ayer's explanation also confirms that Harley Quinn was only an accomplice in Robin's murder. In the opening credits, it's implied she had a hand in the sidekick's death teased by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Speaking of Joker and Harley Quinn, a new fan theory has popped up regarding their relationship. Another Easter egg in the film is the two pieces of baby clothing in the Joker's apartment. When Joker has all of his weapons and toys surrounding him — a shot inspired by Pink Floyd – The Wall – they're seen in plain sight.

Here's a video on the theory (Virtual Steveality):

If The Joker and Harley Quinn do have children in the movie, there'd be little to no reason not to mention them. Perhaps, like Harley Quinn, Joker wants two children, or maybe this shot is Ayer's way of referencing The Joker had a baby on the way in The Killing Joke before he became the crown prince of crime. It's also worth nothing Harley does have a child in the Injustice Universe, but based on Harley's fantasy — which has been divisive — it's implied she doesn't have kids yet in Suicide Squad.

Here's the official synopsis:

It feels good to be bad... Assemble a team of the world's most dangerous, incarcerated Super-Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government's disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren't picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it's every man for himself?

Suicide Squad is now in theaters.